Two Treatises of Government

Definition

The 'Two Treatises of Government' is a foundational political work by John Locke, published in 1689, that outlines his ideas on civil government and the social contract theory. The first treatise critiques the divine right of kings, while the second presents Locke's vision of government as a mutual agreement among individuals to form a society that protects their natural rights to life, liberty, and property. This work is essential for understanding modern democratic principles and the evolution of political thought regarding the relationship between individuals and the state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Locke's work significantly influenced Enlightenment thinkers and the development of liberal democracy.
2. In the first treatise, Locke refutes Robert Filmer's defense of absolute monarchy, arguing that no individual has a divine right to rule over others.
3. The second treatise emphasizes the importance of governmental authority being derived from the consent of the governed.
4. Locke believed that when a government fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens, they have the right to overthrow it.
5. The ideas presented in 'Two Treatises of Government' were later echoed in founding documents like the United States Declaration of Independence.

Review Questions

• How does Locke's critique of the divine right of kings in his first treatise shape modern political thought?
  • Locke's critique challenges the notion that monarchs possess absolute power granted by divine authority. This argument laid the groundwork for modern democratic ideologies by promoting the idea that authority should come from the consent of the governed. By rejecting divine right, Locke shifted political discourse toward principles of equality and individual rights, which have become central to contemporary understandings of democracy.
• Discuss how Locke's concept of natural rights in the second treatise connects with the social contract theory.
  • In the second treatise, Locke articulates natural rights as fundamental entitlements that every individual possesses. He argues that the formation of government arises from a social contract where individuals agree to unite for mutual protection of these rights. This connection illustrates how governments are formed not just as a means of control but as a necessary institution to safeguard individual freedoms, showing how governance should respect and uphold these inherent rights.
• Evaluate how Locke's ideas in 'Two Treatises of Government' laid the foundation for modern democracy and influenced revolutionary movements.
  • Locke's emphasis on individual rights and consent significantly shaped modern democratic principles. His assertion that governments must protect life, liberty, and property provided a framework for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. These ideas inspired revolutionary movements, particularly in America and France, where people sought to replace tyrannical governments with systems based on equality and popular sovereignty. Thus, Locke’s work is seen as pivotal in transitioning from absolute monarchy to representative government.

Related terms

Social Contract: A theoretical framework suggesting that individuals consent to form a government and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

Natural Rights: The rights inherent to all individuals, which Locke identified as life, liberty, and property, that must be protected by government.

Consent of the Governed: The idea that a government's legitimacy comes from the consent of those it governs, central to Locke's political philosophy.